Welcome to Lagos, Luz & Sagres - Some Portuguese and Algarve History

Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Celts and Carthaginians were amongst the earliest settlers attracted to the rich soil, excellent climate and the bounteous ocean offered in the Algarve. In Greek and Roman times the area was called Cyneticum and was part of the Turtelandia centre of civilisation. The next invaders were the Visigoths, who stayed for around 300 years: and then the Moors, whose influence today can largely be felt through the architecture. The name Algarve is believed to be derived from the Moorish name for the region - Al-Gharb. The Moors were driven out by 1249 when Faro was conquered for the Christians and the Burgundy dynasty was later established. The oldest surviving treaty between nations was signed between Britain and Portugal on 16th June 1373 (The Treaty of London) and we've been drinking their port with relish ever since.

The Age of the Great Discoveries is a popular term for the golden period in Portuguese history that followed victory over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. This epoch that created the basis for the Portuguese Empire centred upon the exploits of Prince Henry, third son of Philippa of Lancaster (daughter of John of Gaunt) and King João I. 'Henry the Navigator' established his nautical school at Sagres and sailed from Lagos. In 1415, Henry and his two brothers set sail in a fleet of over 200 ships and captured Ceuta which assured them control over the strights of Gibraltar. Madeira was discovered in 1419, the Azores in 1427 and in 1434 Gil Eanes rounded Cape Bojador. Henry died in 1460 but his spirit lived on as Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 and later Vasco da Gama landed in Mozambique and then India in 1498. In 1500 Pedro Alvares Cabral 'officially' discovered Brazil.

Algarve in the modern era has changed remarkably since the 1970s. After the 1974 revolution the government officially announced it was abandoning its overseas empire, with only the Azores, Madeira and Macao to remain attached. As a result the country was deluged with over half a million 'Retornados' (the Returnees) who poured back home from the colonies. To house many of them it was decided to put the hotels of the Algarve into use, since they were now often empty because of the impact of the revolution on tourist makers' sensibilities. It was an expensive solution (part bankrolled by the USA) but it also had the effect of dispersing a varied and enterprising group of people into the area. The next wave of development focused on the local infrastructure. Faro airport was modernised and significantly enlarged, connecting roads to Lisbon and Spain were turned into major motorways and sewage and water supply (not always available in 1980s Algarve) projects were completed. More and more people from other countries are now settling in the region, bringing their own skills and desires. Just like the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans of yore, they seek the wonderful climate that makes it such a great place to live. The Algarve now accounts for a large percentage of Portugal's tourist trade which is itself a major contributor to the Portuguese economy. As long as the development is as discretely controlled as it has been, the Algarve should continue to be a thriving part of the Portuguese nation.

Historical Timeline

Ancient History

900 to 700BC. The Greeks and Phoenicians establish trading posts in the area which is inhabited by West Lusitanian tribes. Think Asterix stylee but without the hats.

300 to 200BC. The Carthagians master the country initially but the Romans re-establish control in Lusitania by 140BC. It's that good ole' sweeper system, catenaccio, I reckon. Still practiced in the San Siro to this day.

500AD. Visigoths are roaming the area, looking suspicious and heavily tattooed. It's like Albufeira at 11 o'clock at night.

The Moors

700AD. Moors Invade.

750AD. Lots of Moors about.

800AD. Moors still there.

850AD. Yep, still here.

900AD. Moors kicked out of the region North of Modego, known as Portucale.

1000AD. Less Moors now but still most definitely about.

1139. Alfonso Henriques makes himself King. Chooses groovy name (Alfonso I) and sets about the Moors.

1147. The reconquest of Lisbon by Alfonso and a passing band of crusaders warming up on their way to the Holy Lands.

1249. Faro recaptured for the Christians.

The Burgundian Dynasty - Fighting Castilians

1279. King Dinis I (no, really) founds the University of Coimbra. Portuguese (a dialect of the Oporto region) is made the official language.

1383. Fernando I dies and the house of Castile claims succession to the throne. Opposed by Joâo I, bastard brother of the late king and Grand Master of the Order of Avis, who wins the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and treats everyone to free car rental as a reward.

1373. Treaty of London signed with England

1386. Treaty of Windsor signed with England - just confirming the first treaty but with a provision for more Port wine please. Goes great with the roast beef don't you know.

The Age of Great Discoveries

1415. Portuguese fleet captures Ceuta from Morocco.

1419. Madeira discovered.

1427. The Azores discovered.

1434. Gil Eanes rounds Cape Bojador.

1460. Henry The Navigator dies.

1488. Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope.

1498. Vasco da Gama lands in Mozambique and then India.

1500. Pedro Alvares Cabral 'officially' discovers Brazil.

1522. Magellan circumnavigates the world.

1578. King Sebastiâo killed fighting in Morocco - in a battle you understand, not, like, in a pub brawl or during an argument over some carpets down the casbah or anything.

The Spanish

1580. Philip II wastes no time in invading a rudderless Portugal and cunningly renames himself Felipe I when proclaiming himself king.

1640. Uprising against the Spanish (finally) and Duke of Braganca takes the title Joâo IV. Are you keeping up still?

1668. Some 28 years later the Spanish recognise Portugal's independence. Yey!

The Napoleonic Wars, Losing Brazil, and then the Monarchy

1703. Britain and Portugal sign another treaty - 'cos they like the other ones so much. The 'Methuen' trade treaty mostly facilitates the shipping of more port to England.

1755. Earthquake destroys half of Lisbon.

1793. Portugal joins 'coalition of the willing' against revolutionary France.

1807. France, a little riled no doubt, invade under the command of Junot. The royal family scarper to Brazil.